Every Drop

# E v e r y d r o p c o u n t s

Driving water conservation through adjusted pricing models

South Africa remains under pressure when it comes to efficient water use and conservation, where limited supply is increasingly stressed by rising demand, aged and insufficient infrastructure and lack of consumer awareness. Karen King, Senior Associate, WSP, Environment & Energy, Africa, shares her insights.

the eastern parts of South Africa will see

One of the biggest challenges reiterated this commitment in 2020, but implementation challenges are exacerbated by complexities in financial and environmental planning for rapid population growth, urbanisation and industrialisation. 98% of the country’s water is already allocated and demand for water services has outstripped infrastructure development. This is compounded by the fact that people use water as though they are living in a water-rich country, with little regard for conservation.

South Africa is rated as the 39th driest country in the Influencing end-user behaviour world, receiving only half the average annual rainfall That said, the public’s response to the Cape Town drought that the rest of the world can expect. Though most shows that this likely isn’t due to a wilful disregard of water South Africans are acutely aware of the recent drought in issues. Awareness, communication and education saw all Cape Town, the reality is that eight out of nine provinces levels of end-users reduce their water usage dramatically. were declared disaster areas in 2016 due to ongoing In Gauteng, however, the hype around the drought has drought. been kept to a minimum, most likely to prevent negative

Some areas have since had some relief, with wetter economic impact on South Africa’s highest regional conditions over the summer months, leading many contributor to GDP. But in reality, dams overall are currently consumers to take water restrictions less seriously. at 50% capacity and we are far from out of the woods. However, the recent rain is insufficient to secure enough The lack of hype doesn’t mean Gauteng is ignoring the water resources for the foreseeable future. problem. There are good interventions in place to cope The influence of climate change a “day zero”, but with multiple scenarios influencing the

Climate change is having an impact on rainfall patterns in selection and implementation of interventions, the exact South Africa. Changes to precipitation patterns and the increase date is flexible. in the frequency of floods and droughts will mean South Africa End-users do need to change their approach, however, has to reconsider its approach to water management. and a tiered approach to water tariffs could be the answer.

In addition, numerous climate models suggest that 25 litres of water per person per day, and 200 litres from increases in rainfall, whilst the western parts will become drier. The provision and One of the biggest challenges inhibiting management of water supply will need to South Africa’s response to climate change account for these changes. and water conservation centres around water Infrastructure maintenance infrastructure.

with various well-modelled scenarios. Gauteng will have inhibiting South Africa’s response to climate change and a standpipe, is a comfortable allocation to maintain water conservation centres around water infrastructure. appropriate hygiene and general household activity. At this Despite being one of the most sophisticated water tier, water is appropriately priced. infrastructure networks on the continent, funding and Water use at the next tier, however, should be more capacity constraints mean it has fallen into disrepair and heavily restricted and charged for accordingly. Activities that there are still several areas outside urban nodes that don’t push a household’s water consumption into this tier include have access to water services. washing cars or maintaining gardens that are not water

It must be noted that Government has certainly realised wise. Roses and lawns are particularly thirsty, for example. the importance of both creating access to, and protecting, Higher tariffs for unnecessary water use would change available water resources. It committed to prioritise our view of water as a resource and drive consumption water projects and infrastructure in the 2019 Budget, and behaviour that reflects its scarcity.

PERSPECTIVE Dream A successful future starts with

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For a long time, Steven Nemasango had a dream – he envisioned himself obtaining a university degree one day. The father of two from Bloubosrand in Johannesburg saw his dream come true recently when he bagged his first degree at 40 – and he believes this is just the beginning of his academic accolades.

“A man who doesn’t dream doesn’t have a future, and when your dream doesn’t scare you, it is not a dream” are words that best describe the bumpy road to success for Nemasango. His passion to pursue a career in Information Technology was put on hold when his parents divorced, leading to financial hardship and life in a rural village where he grew up under difficult circumstances. “I remember waking up at 2am to plough the fields and at 6am I would prepare for school,” he said. A serious lecture on life from his mother changed his perspective on education. He no longer settled for average marks and pushed boundaries to pass very well his Cambridge high school exams. With the hospitality industry providing a more affordable career alternative to IT, he enrolled soon after high school and outclassed his stream by emerging the best student in his class.

Testament to his hard work and determination is his appointment as Assistant General Manager at De Hoek Country Hotel in Magaliesburg in February 2019. His belief that your situation can only be changed by education, led him to not lose sight of his goal to achieve

a BCom Information Technology Management qualification from higher education institution, MANCOSA. On the challenges he encountered to obtain his degree, he said: “I sponsored myself and there were times when I was in arrears with payment to obtain results to proceed to the next semester. “Juggling between a demanding hospitality career, family and studies was especially challenging but I kept the faith and determination going.”

He attributes part of his academic success to MANCOSA for providing an excellent support structure to students.

“Lecturers are easily accessible and always offering to assist. I remember struggling with Financial Accounting and a lecturer – Sooraya Ebrahim – helped me during her free time. Her guidance throughout my studies proved invaluable in helping me pass my modules.” Expressing gratitude for the solid education, he said he felt empowered in his managerial position and has learnt life lessons that he will treasure.

Nemasango plans to pursue his Masters and Doctoral degrees and venture into entrepreneurship with the possibility of owning a guest house, lodge or hotel one day.

“Our races in life are not the same. As long as you have set a goal, nothing can stop you. Success is not easy to achieve - it takes individuals who are determined and hardworking to realise their ambitions. I live life on my terms - I compete with myself, at my own pace and with my rules.”